• IYC ex-president urges govs, LG bosses to emulate Tinubu’s leadership, courage
• Ex-AIG warns against recruiting thugs, party loyalists, vigilante

As the National Assembly passes the landmark Constitution Alteration Bill to establish state police in Nigeria, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to introduce far-reaching constitutional reforms that would insulate key public institutions from executive interference.

On his part, former president of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri, commended President Bola Tinubu for showing the required political will in proposing the establishment of state police, while urging state governors and local council bosses to borrow a leaf from the President.

However, retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, warned that the proposed state police “will fail if it is dominated by politicians or formed from vigilante groups, political thugs and party loyalists.”

In a letter dated June 26, 2026, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSG), Dr George Akume, Agbakoba argued that the ongoing constitutional amendment process presented an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and prevent abuse of power.

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commended Tinubu for transmitting to the National Assembly an Executive Bill seeking to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to establish state police, describing the move as a significant step towards improving security and bringing law enforcement closer to local communities.

He, however, cautioned that the creation of state police without adequate constitutional safeguards could result in the abuse of the new policing structure by governors.

According to Agbakoba, Nigeria’s experience with State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and local councils demonstrates that institutions created without genuine constitutional protection often become subject to executive control.

“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only,” he said, warning that state police could become “tools of oppression” if they are not insulated from political interference.

ERADIRI, a former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa State, said Tinubu had again displayed uncommon vision and strength in areas where his predecessors lacked courage.

“It is better late than never. We are coming late on the issue of state police. It has been an issue Nigerians have been yearning for over the years. Nobody had mustered the political will to actualise it, but we commend President Tinubu for having the political will to actualise it,” he said.

The former IYC leader added that the President had shown similar determination in other sectors, particularly energy.

He, however, said the proposed establishment of state police would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges unless state and local authorities demonstrated leadership.

SPEAKING on ‘The Morning Brief’ of Channels Television’s yesterday, Inalegwu said the success of state police would depend largely on a transparent recruitment process that guarantees professionalism and political neutrality.

“We are praying that they will not use members of vigilante, thugs, supporters of political parties or individuals to form the new class of this police force,” Inalegwu stated.

While acknowledging that the establishment of state police would add more manpower to policing in the country, the former Commissioner of Police in Kogi State explained that “the greatest danger lies in the composition” of the proposed force.